Gene Haas will meet the next deadline of application for a 2015 team berth in Formula One.

After Haas, a Nascar team co-owner, responded to the FIA's invitation to fill the vacant team slot, Ecclestone said publicly he doubts the Californian is prepared to spend what it takes to compete in F1.

"He doesn't think we will get the license," Haas responded, "so my chances probably aren't that great of a shot."

Correspondent Alberto Antonini said Haas is preparing to meet the FIA's next application deadline of February 10, including demonstrating its ability and willingness to compete with an adequate budget.

Autosprint also said Haas, whose project involves the former F1 personality Gunther Steiner, is pushing ahead with plans to field a Dallara chassis in 2015, mated to Ferrari's V6 and energy-recovery 'power unit'.